Practice burns from government agencies north of Eugene and Springfield pushed smoke into the southern Willamette Valley cities Thursday, Sept. 10.
The practice supports upcoming agricultural burning — also called field burning — which removes straw and roots from grass and seed farms, according to the Oregon Department of Agriculture.
The department announced on Facebook Thursday morning that it was preparing for burns in the Drakes Crossing, Stayton, Silverton and Sublimity fire districts midafternoon. The Halsey Fire Department announced another practice burn, which satellites picked up happening around 8 p.m. between the Willamette River and Interstate 5…